To make sure the building you’re constructing is on the lot, within the setback lines, and not encroaching on any easement lines.

To determine if your lot is usable for an onsite septic system. (While technically not a survey, these are commonly done by surveyors.)

The staff at Hoover Land Surveying has been surveying in Alabama for over 30 years. We have experience in all types of land surveying. Some of these other survey types are more specialized. These are discussed below along with a brief explanation of each.

Money Saving Hint – if you need boundary lines marked it might be best to do that in the winter when the leaves are off. Ask us about splitting the job into two parts to accomplish these savings.

For more specific information about what type survey you need, please call Hoover Land Surveying at (205) 402-8050.

Land Surveying Types:

Residential Lot or Mortgage Survey – A residential lot or mortgage survey is done to determine the location of your property lines and improvements (buildings, driveways, fences, etc.) Normally a survey drawing is included that may be used for a mortgage closing or for your records.

A “lot” in this case is assumed to be part of a larger subdivision where multiple lots have been developed at one time and a plat has been recorded in the local courthouse. A lot is typically under an acre in size.

The lot is then described, for example, as “Lot 21 of Peachy Subdivision Phase 2 as recorded in Plat Book 12, Page 32 in the Lee County Probate Office.” If the lot is described according to a deed description (metes and bounds) then we call that a boundary survey.

Boundary Survey – is normally on a much larger parcel, typically larger than one acre. This type involves locating the property corners as marked by an iron pipe, a rebar, or some other monument and preparing a survey drawing.

Improvements on the parcel may or may not be located, depending on the proposed use of the survey. Boundary lines may or may not be marked, depending on the clients’ request. Easement lines, if any, will also be located.

Construction Staking – Surveying measurements that are made prior to, or while a site is under construction, to control the horizontal position and vertical position (elevation).

For example, Surveyors typically place stakes at building corners for a new house site to insure that it is built in the proper location and does not encroach on any building line or easement. Construction staking is also done for work like curb and gutter, earthwork, sanitary manholes, streets, etc.

Site Plan – A site plan is prepared, normally, in order to obtain approval to construct some type structure on a lot, like a house. This may involve field work, depending on the circumstances.

The majority of site plans are completed in the office. After approval of the site plan, then some construction staking might take place. (See above)

Topographic Survey – A survey that locates natural and man-made features such as buildings, fences, improvements, easements, utilities, trees, streams. This type also normally shows the “contours” of the land.

Shots are taking at “ridges” and “valleys” on the site and a map is produced. A topo survey is normally used to plan and design some type of building project on the parcel.

Subdivision Survey – This type is done in order to divide a parcel into smaller parcels. This might be as few as two lots or hundreds or lots. A subdivision “plat” (drawing) is completed which is then approved by the county and/or city and then recorded in the local courthouse.

Elevation Survey – Performed to determine the elevation of a structure (house) and it’s relation to the floodplain. (See “flood” for more information.)

ALTA/ACSM Survey – This type can be similar to the Residential Lot or Boundary Survey above but it is done to a different standard, the ALTA/ACSM standard. ALTA is the American Land Title Association and ACSM is the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.

These two organizations joined together in developing these standards. They are updated regularly. This is normally referred to as an ALTA survey. An ALTA survey is very comprehensive (read costly) and is most often performed on commercial property or when a lender is out of state. This is a widely accepted national standard for surveying.

Aerial Photo Mapping Control – Aerial photo control is the placement of painted targets on the ground in anticipation of aerial photos. The horizontal and vertical location of these target points are then used in the photogrammetric process to “control” the production of the maps.

GIS Mapping – GIS stands for Geographic Information System. This is also sometimes called a Land Information System (LIS). These surveys are done to locate items like utilities (water, sewer, power, etc.) in order to populate a GIS database.

Percolation & Soils Testing – Conducting a percolation test and soil boring is not technically considered land surveying, but land surveyors are one of three professionals that are qualified to perform these tests.

A “perc” test is done in order to determine if sewage effluent will soak (percolate) into the ground in an onsite septic system. The soil boring helps the surveyor determine the depth to perform the perc test.

The soil boring might indicate water or rock, a limitation to the placement of field lines. The perc rate will determine the length of field lines needed.